Having been a fugitive for almost 36 years, former National Trades Union Congress chairperson and member of parliament Phey Yew Kok turned up in court in Singapore yesterday, reports Channel News Asia ( CNA ).

The local television reported Phey, 81, was charged on Dec 10, 1979 with four counts of criminal breach of trust involving a total of S$82,520, and other offences under the Trade Union Act.

He was out on bail of S$100,000 but did not have his passport impounded.

Phey failed to turn up in court on Jan 7, 1980, and a warrant of arrest was issued on the same day. His two sureties lost S$95,000 of their bail bonds as a result.

CNA reported that investigations revealed Phey had left Singapore for Kuala Lumpur by train on Dec 31, 1979, and proceeded to Bangkok where he disappeared.

On Monday, he surrendered at the Singapore Embassy in Bangkok, and officers from the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau accompanied him back to the republic on the same day.

Phey is scheduled to appear in court on July 23.

- Bernama